Timeless Design With Quinn Hannum: The Intersection Of Function And Luxury

Quinn Hannum has gained recognition for creating refined, elegant spaces that reflect the personal essence of each home, from the sunlit shores of the Hamptons to locations around the world. Her design philosophy, based on first principles of architecture, enables her to give each project a smooth flow and a strong sense of purpose. By blending functionality with luxurious details, she turns spaces into timeless pieces of art. In this conversation, we explore Hannum’s approach to designing lasting homes, the art of working with top artisans, and how her background in theater and dance influences her storytelling through space. With a portfolio that spans the globe and a keen eye for curating meaningful environments, Quinn Hannum’s designs showcase craftsmanship and vision.

Have you worked on homes in the Hamptons or North Fork?

I’ve had the pleasure of working on several projects in the Hamptons, and I’m continually inspired by the region’s natural elegance and attention to detail. Most recently, I designed a refined guest wing for a historic home in Southampton, complete with a sculptural ensuite bath, bespoke millwork, and a discreet private entrance. It was crafted to offer both privacy and flexibility for the homeowners — ideal for hosting extended family or select guests during the season. I’ve also consulted on architectural finishes and landscape planning for properties across the East End. Whether for full-time living or summer retreats, I approach every Hamptons project with a deep sensitivity to flow and the balance between ease and elegance.

Your tagline is “From Blueprint to Blooms.” Can you walk us through how your process flows from architectural planning to the final curated garden?

The phrase captures both the scope and spirit of what I do. My process begins with deep architectural space planning — how a home breathes, flows, and holds emotional weight. From there, every design decision, down to the last peony or gravel stone, serves the original architectural intent. Nothing is ornamental without purpose. The goal is to create a seamless arc — from the home’s blueprint to the garden’s final bloom — where each element is in conversation.

You’ve emphasized an architecture-first philosophy. How does starting with architecture influence every other design decision you make?

Starting with architecture allows every material, sightline, and texture to feel inevitable. If you begin with furniture or finishes, you’re retrofitting. But when you begin with spatial intention — how a client lives, where light falls at 4 PM — it’s like setting a musical key. Every design note afterward either harmonizes or disrupts. I choose harmony.

You’re known for transforming spaces through full-scale renovations. Does your approach also include reimagining spaces with existing bones?

Absolutely. While I love the depth and precision of a full renovation — reshaping a home from the ground up — I also find great satisfaction in working within an existing framework. In those cases, the challenge becomes about refinement rather than reinvention. I look closely at the spatial rhythm, natural light, and what the architecture is trying to say. With thoughtful interventions — like custom millwork, architectural finishes, lighting design, and furniture placement — we can shift the entire emotional register of a space without erasing its original structure. It’s less about starting over and more about listening closely and responding with intention.

You’ve built a global network of artisans — some of whom work with Cartier and royalty. How do these collaborations influence your work and elevate your client experience?

These collaborations allow me to offer clients access to truly singular pieces — objects made by hand, of heirloom quality, for their space alone. I’ve commissioned custom-blown glass chandeliers from Murano that preserve a sweeping view of the sea, or a city skyline — while adding sculptural drama and light-play that changes throughout the day. No one else will ever have that exact fixture; it was created in conversation with the home and its atmosphere. Collaborating with artisans who operate at this level — whose work is trusted by heritage houses and luxury ateliers — is one of the great privileges of my practice. These makers don’t just create beautiful objects — they produce work with story and soul. Whether it’s custom bronze foundry, sculpted glass, intricate marquetry, or fine lacquerwork, each piece is made with a level of care and mastery that’s increasingly rare.

What’s one artisan-crafted piece you’ve commissioned that holds a particularly special story or significance?

One of my favorite parts of the process is sourcing antique pieces with soul — especially from the Marché aux Puces in Paris — and then weaving them into the architectural language of a new renovation. One example that stands out is a chinoiserie cabinet we discovered, which I transformed into a floor-to-ceiling corner bar. It became the anchor of the room. We designed custom millwork around it, forged complementary metalwork, and brought in a restoration artist from the Met to extend the original ornate pattern onto the new panels. The integration was so seamless, you couldn’t tell where the antique ended and the new work began. That kind of alchemy — merging history with invention — is where the magic happens.

Your designs seem to reflect the personal essence of your clients. How do you uncover their authentic style and translate that into physical form?

I listen more than I speak in the early stages. I pay attention to what lights people up — what they collect, what they dream of, the things they loved in childhood, or places they feel most inspired or peaceful. I’m not interested in imposing a style. I’m interested in revealing a narrative. The result is a space that doesn’t look “like me” — it feels unmistakably like them.

Courtesy of Quinn Hannum Design.

Courtesy of Quinn Hannum Design.

Courtesy of Quinn Hannum Design.

How do you balance functionality with luxury in spaces designed for everyday living?

Luxury without functionality is theater. I aim for quiet luxury — the kind that disappears into daily life until you realize the drawer glides effortlessly, the lighting shifts with the sun, and the rug was woven to handle dogs and children but still feels like cashmere. True luxury is invisible service.

Your outdoor spaces are described as multi-dimensional sanctuaries. What are the key elements you always consider when designing gardens or terraces?

Light, movement, and pause. I treat outdoor spaces like a choreography — where you’re led gently through different moods: an alfresco dining nook, a hidden bench, a path that crunches beneath your feet. I blend structure and softness: architectural hedges with wild blooms, stone with soil, shade with shimmer. I select exterior plantings to complement the interior color palettes for seamless harmony and embrace the concept of creating outdoor rooms in the planning phase.

You design custom furniture, architectural finishes, and lighting. What drives the decision to create a piece from scratch versus sourcing?

It’s a matter of alignment. If the vision calls for something that doesn’t yet exist — or if the proportion or patina has to be just so — I design it. I’ve always had a strong passion for creating one-of-a-kind pieces, so it was natural that I built relationships with a fleet of master artisans over the years, many of whom are based locally in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as abroad in Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, and England. Whether it’s furniture, architectural finishes, or lighting, each piece is crafted to respond precisely to the space and its atmosphere. It’s about creating something that not only fits but belongs.

You started in theater and dance. How does that background inform your sense of spatial flow, drama, or storytelling in a space?

Immensely. Theater teaches you about light, shadow, and the power of reveal. Dance teaches you how space moves around a body — and how we move within space. I’m always asking: What’s the story this room wants to tell? Where’s the crescendo? Where’s the breath? It’s composition in three dimensions.

You’ve worked on incredible global projects like the Four Seasons in NYC and Mount Nicholson in Hong Kong. What did those experiences teach you about luxury and scale?

This was early in my career while I was working for a top 100 firm. The experience taught me that in large-scale projects, restraint is everything. Scale demands clarity of vision — every detail must hold its weight, or it disappears. You also don’t want to overwhelm a space with too much visual information, or it becomes cluttered. As Anouska Hempel famously said, “Design. Refine. Repeat.” Those are words I live and design by.

What’s a project that challenged you creatively—but ultimately changed the way you design?

I’m currently working on a project that’s been uniquely challenging because the clients have an intense desire for minimalism. Typically, I incorporate more geometric patterns and colors to add warmth and rhythm, but this project is very neutral and zen in its palette and mood. It’s a beautiful departure for me, and I’m loving how it’s expanding my design language and sensitivity to restraint.

The NCIDQ certification is held by just 11% of designers. How does this set your work apart in a competitive market?

NCIDQ certification is the highest professional qualification for interior designers in both the United States and Canada. It signifies expertise not only in residential design but also in hospitality and commercial projects, ensuring a thorough understanding of life safety, accessibility standards, building codes, and professional ethics. This rigorous credential licenses me to confidently take on a broad spectrum of projects, from private homes to large-scale hospitality spaces. For clients, it’s an assurance that their environment will be not only beautiful but also safe, functional, and compliant with the highest industry standards.

You’ve been featured in many magazines and recognized by ASID. How has that exposure shaped your brand and business trajectory?

These features have helped amplify the depth of what I offer: bespoke design that starts with architecture and ends in atmosphere. More than visibility, it’s affirmed that there’s a real hunger for spaces with soul—spaces that endure. It’s connected me to kindred clients and collaborators.

What’s next for Quinn Hannum? Are there any design movements, destinations, or artisan techniques you’re currently exploring or excited to integrate into your work?

I’m currently working on my first bespoke furniture and lighting line in collaboration with a bronze artisan in Portugal. The collection will feature botanical forms, nudes, and artwork from my great-grandfather, etched directly into the metal and sculpted into dimensional forms. It’s an incredibly personal project — one that blends legacy, fine art, and functional design — and I’m thrilled to be bringing it to life. I’m also continuing to explore heritage techniques that are at risk of disappearing, and how design can support the nervous system by creating spaces that regulate and restore. The work ahead is about timelessness and a revival of old-world artisan craftsmanship.

To learn more, visit quinnhannum.com.

Ty Wenzel

Co-Publisher & Contributor

Ty Wenzel, a recent breast cancer survivor, started her career as a fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s followed by fashion editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine. She was also a writer for countless publications, including having published a memoir (St. Martin's Press) and written features for The New York Times. She is an award-winning writer and designer who covers lifestyle, real estate, architecture and interiors for James Lane Post. She previously worked as a writer and marketing director for The Independent. She has won multiple PCLI and NYPA awards for journalism, social media and design, including best website design and best magazine for James Lane Post, which she co-founded in 2020. Wenzel is also a co-founder of the meditation app for kids, DreamyKid, and the Hamptons social media agency, TWM Hamptons Social Media.